The currency in Belgium is the euro, but there are many ways of paying other than in cash. Here is a guide to the most common methods.

CURRENCY

Belgium is in the eurozone, sharing a common currency with Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Of the old EU countries, Sweden, Denmark and the UK are the outsiders and many of the 10 new EU countries plan to adopt the euro when they are ready to do so, but not for a few years yet.

Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 EUR, 2 EUR

Notes: 5 EUR, 10 EUR, 20 EUR, 50 EUR, 100 EUR, 200 EUR, 500 EUR

On one side of the coins is a European Union emblem showing a map of the eurozone surrounded by the 12 stars of the union. On the other side is a design specific to the country where it was minted.

Euros from any of the 12 countries may be used anywhere in the EU. All euro notes are the same, regardless of which country they come from.

PAYING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES

Cash
Cash dispensers are everywhere where there is a bank, and they all take Bancontact cards — issued by local banks. But beware, you might have to wander around to find one that takes your Visa or MasterCard or other major credit and debit cards.

Credit and Debit Cards
Most types of credit card are widely accepted. If you get a standard Visa or Eurocard/MasterCard from a local bank, the standard option is for this to operate like a debit card, with the full balance taken from your account each month.

A full service credit option is widely available on request.

Diner's, American Express and other major international credit cards can also be obtained and used in Belgium.

The most common card in Belgium is the Mister Cash-Bancontact card.

It is linked to your current account, and is accepted in department stores, supermarkets, gas stations, and high street shops everywhere.

It's a good idea to have one of these, as there are still many places in Belgium that don't accept alternatives.

A Bancontact card with a PIN number will be issued when you open a Belgian bank account.

Proton
Belgium is a pioneer in a cashless society.

The Proton card is actually a chip integrated into your Bancontact card and is like a rechargeable electronic purse.

It is designed to pay for everyday items such as newspapers and cigarettes, as well as
paying the butcher and the baker.

You can even use it for the parking meter, or to fill up your car with petrol.

This is how it works:

Using your usual four-digit PIN code, you load the card with up to EUR 1,240 at a cash dispenser,and then go shopping.

The shopkeeper enters the amount to be paid into the Proton terminal, and you put your Proton card into the terminal.

When the amount to be paid appears on the screen, you simply press the OK button, and the payment is made.

A word of caution: a lost card is like lost cash so choose the amount you load wisely.

[Copyright Expatica 2005]

Subject: Belgium, money